Follow the money - Episode 23 - Curing Affluenza: How to buy less stuff and save the world

Posted on: 19 December 2017

"Affluenza is that strange desire we feel to spend money we don’t have to buy things we don’t need to impress people we don’t know . . ."

A truly modern affliction, affluenza is endemic in Western societies, encouraged by those who profit from a culture of exploitation and waste. So how do we cure ourselves? In today's episode Ebony talks to Chief Economist Richard Denniss about why we must distinguish between consumerism and materialism.

You can subscribe to The Australia Institute's podcast series Follow The Moneyon iTunes. Each episode busts some economic myths, interprets econobabble and helps you sound really smart at your next dinner party.

The Australia Institute is the country’s most influential progressive think tank. We conduct research on a broad range of economic, social and environmental issues in order to inform public debate and bring greater accountability to the democratic process.